Dairy Australia (DA), which funds WestVic Dairy, said the move was part of a statewide transfer of dairy extension services from DEDJTR to its Regional Development Programs, of which the Camperdown-based WestVic dairy was one.

DA managing director Ian Halliday told The Standard the transfer would take place on July 1, next year and no jobs were expected to be cut.

DEDJTR has about six staff based in Warrnambool involved in dairy extension. 

Mr Halliday said DA had been helping fund DEDJTR’s dairy extension services for some years and the transfer was part of an “evolving model” for their funding.

“WestVic Dairy will take on a greater role in helping dairy farmers improve profitability,” he said.

More staff might be taken on by WestVic Dairy as part of the transition, Mr Halliday said. 

The roles of the two organisations would be defined over the next six to eight months, he said.

Mr Halliday said Dairy Australia aimed to have “enough feet on the ground” to be well coordinated and connected with farmers in each region and to partner with a range of providers to deliver relevant activities.

A joint media release from the two bodies said DEDJTR would continue to invest in services that supported economic growth and jobs in the dairy sector.

These would include improving risk management and protecting market access through a focus on biosecurity, animal welfare, climate variability as well as emergency preparedness and response work.

DEDJTR, in consultation with industry, would also explore options for new services that supported economic growth and jobs in the dairy sector, the two bodies said. 

Victoria’s lead deputy agriculture secretary Luke Wilson said DEDJTR and DA would maintain their partnership commitment to research and development through a long-term funding agreement. This will see an increased focus on the development of new technology packages to extend research outcomes ready for adoption in dairy farming systems.